Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Manual, Infant

With the infant version of the trusted, widely used CLASS™ tool, early childhood programs have an accurate and reliable way to assess teacher–infant interactions, a primary component of positive early experiences. Developed for use with children from birth to 18 months, theCLASS™ Infanttool specifically focuses on how teachers engage with infants and support their learning and development during everyday routines and activities.

With clear guidance and background information, this manual gives you a comprehensive introduction to theCLASS™ Infanttool and how to use it effectively. You'll see how this standardized tool

• Assesses 4 dimensions of teacher–child interactions: relational climate, teacher sensitivity, facilitated exploration, and early language support
• Establishes an accurate picture of interactions through repeated observation and scoring cycles
• Highlights areas of strength and areas for growth useful for guiding professional development efforts

Comprehensive and reader-friendly, this manual provides helpful information on infant development, the theoretical and empirical foundations of theCLASS™ Infanttool, an overview of procedures for using the tool, and detailed descriptions and examples for each dimension the tool assesses.